By Gavin Boyle
Prince William shared that his family places a strong emphasis on spending time together, which is a major reason why he and Kate Middleton do not allow their children to have phones.
“Absolutely, yes, definitely,” Prince William said when asked if his family has sit down dinners when they are all together. “So, sit and chat is really important. None of our children have any phones, which we’re really strict about.”
“Louis loves the trampoline, so he’s obsessed by trampolining and actually, Charlotte does a lot as well,” he continued, providing a peak into his family’s life. “As far as I can tell, they just end up jumping up and down the trampoline, beating each other up most of the time.”
Kate reflected on the damage caused by smartphones as well, saying, “We sit together in the same room while our minds are scattered across dozens of apps, notifications, and feeds. We’re physically present but mentally absent, unable to fully engage with the people right in front of us.”
Related: Celebrities Reveal Why They Don’t Allow Kids on Social Media
“When we check our phones during conversations, scroll through social media during family dinners or respond to emails while playing with our children, we’re not just being distracted; we are withdrawing the basic form of love that human connection requires,” she emphasized.
The royal couple’s no cell phone rule is fascinating, especially given that many celebrities in America follow the same protocol to protect their children from the spotlight that social media would immediately thrust them into. At the same time, because they understand the downside of fame, many celebrities say that the negatives of cell phones often outweigh the positives when deciding whether or not to buy their children phones.
“I told [my daughter] point blank, ‘If you can produce literature for me from a reputable source that tells me social media is good for you, then you can be on it,’” said singer Pink.
HGTV stars Ben and Erin Napier have taken things a step further by creating an organization that connects parents who are choosing to keep their kids off of technology through high school so these kids can have friends who are growing up the same way, rather than just comparing themselves to those who have a cell phone.
Should children have smartphones?
“This is us teaching our children: You deserve more,” Erin said. “You are capable of a whole lot more if you can skip social media and cell phones until you’re older. Until you’re ready, you’ll have your growing group of Osprey friends who are having the same low-tech adolescence.”
The growing movement to keep kids off of technology comes as hundreds of studies prove the negative side effects of giving kids their own devices, especially if they are allowed access to social media. Much higher rates of mental health disorders have been found with kids who have unlimited access to these inventions of the modern era at a young age.
It is encouraging to see the royal family choose to have their kids engage with play and outdoor fun rather than technology and social media. While the lives of Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis will be much different than most, at least for now they can just be kids.
Read Next: ‘We Don’t Fold on Family Time’: Ben and Erin Napier Share Secret to Family Happiness
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